CPJ voices concern over Sherry Rehman's safety

NEW YORK - Despite government's stepped up protection for journalist/MNA Sherry Rehman, the Committee to Protect Journalists is "greatly concerned" over public threats made against her, the independent watchdog body said in a press statement Thursday. Sherry Rehmans life straddles the worlds of journalism and politics like few others in Pakistan. Even with the governments increased protection, she remains at great risk, and we remain greatly concerned about the safety of colleague, Bob Dietz, CPJs Asia programme coordinator, said. Ms. Rehman, who had worked for 10 years as editor-in-chief of The Herald news magazine, has continued to write widely about the blasphemy law and other social issues in Pakistan, the New York-based CPJ noted. She has written frequent commentaries and appeared on numerous television news shows, speaking out for reform. As a politician, Ms. Rehman supported a bill in the National Assembly that would amend the blasphemy law. The changes include the repeal of the laws mandatory death penalty.